Welcome

Welcome to the POZ/AIDSmeds Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and
others concerned about HIV/AIDS. Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the
conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive
and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a
username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own
physician.

All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators
of these forums. Click here for “Am I Infected?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ/AIDSmeds community forums.

We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please
provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are
true and correct to their knowledge.

Author
Topic: first time seeking help from an ASO. (Read 3862 times)

I once again have been feeling much frustration with the healthcare system. I think a part of it stems from me struggling through the hoops that I always had help for in the past.

A little over a year ago the hospital eliminated the position of a social worker from the office of my ID doc. She was priceless and had worked for the hospital for 40 years.... and didn't want to leave. A very long term nurse that had fought through her own cancer while working was let go at the same time.... and didn't want to leave.

Anyway, I decided to finally contact the nearest ASO. I have an intake some time next week. They seemed on the phone to be able to help with fixing the problems that I am getting too stressed to deal with any longer.

Wait and see I guess. I have read many posts here about others experiences with ASO's. Some better than others. I hope I feel welcomed and that they can help me with insurance/ADAP issues. It's 35 minutes away which is exhausting to me but I know many others here have bigger challenges in regards to distance.

Maybe much of this could be done over the phone once I'm signed up?

I know it's tough to answer this, probably impossible due to the unique differences from state to state and from one ASO to another.

Just tired feeling frail and a rash of bad headaches per usual. (vent)

I'm not sure if they go to clients homes. At this point I can't see me needing that. It just gets tiring sometimes because most of my docs are 20-35 minutes drive each way. Hopefully they do that for their homebound clients.

It might be helpful to make a list of any questions you have. I know I went years without knowing about dental service. Be patient because there are always bureaucratic hoops to jump through. Miss P is spot-on about documentation. Don't have the process delayed because you didn't bring a current utility bill, etc. Once you get the hang of it, it ain't that difficult to navigate. Just a pain in the ass. Good luck.

1) recent labs to prove you're an AIDS victim2) proof of residence (utility bill, bank statement, etc. -- and this can be picky as some of them don't want a cable/internet/cell phone bill, only electrical or gas -- don't ask me why)3) proof of income -- for me it's as simple as my SSDI benefit statement but for you it will be tax filings I suppose4) proof of ID (drivers license, passport)

I think that is all I needed, and you have to do this every fucking six months now. And I know with case management at least here (and this is new) if you don't access case management after 3 months of getting one you can't just ring them up, you have to register and get a new one again. I think it has something to do with RW funding based on active case load.

Anyway, if they didn't tell you on that phone call what info to bring for intake I would call them back or you will end up making two trips there instead of one.

Mitch I'm uneducated about this so I ask out of ignorance. What services is the ASO providing you?

When and if you are approved for ssdi will you then qualify for Medicaid also making the aso not needed anymore?

Third question, if the aso has income requirement as miss p mentioned of 300% poverty level, if you qualified for assistance from the aso wouldn't you also qualify for Medicaid since their income requirements are also the same (especially since Obamacare expanded Medicaid?).

Couldn't you go online and sign up Medicaid/obamacare and skip the whole aso process? I'm sorry if these are redundant questions. I consider myself pretty educated about HIV and I'm confused by all this so I'm sure there are others who are lost also.

The 300% FBI requirement is for Ryan White -- as in the dental services and ADAP. Anyone can access a case management that is HIV+ as far as I know. Now whether they'll have much to offer you is another question, but that's why we ask them these questions isn't it?

Why don't we allow Mark to go ask questions and get answers pertinent to his singular situation as pertains to the state of Connecticut and see what they tell him before muddying the waters for days on end?

Mitch I'm uneducated about this so I ask out of ignorance. What services is the ASO providing you?

None yet. I haven't even signed up. I am looking for help in from them in solving the issues that I struggle with in regards to insurance, mail order pharmacy, and ADAP. Example: I have been on CADAP for years. I am currently having trouble with Acreedo (specialty pharmacy that I had hoped that I was not required to use due to a CT statute but apparently the state insurance commissioner doesn't believe that a specialty pharmacy isn't a mail order pharmacy even though they mail all of their meds. They told me that they had their lawyer look at this. What a useless statute if that's their interpretation. ugh!!). They say that they don't bill secondary insurance (ADAP). So... I call CADAP and they say they don't deal with mail order pharmacies. WUT? They have been paying my copays for years through a mail order pharmacy. Seems to me an ASO would be used to dealing with this crapola and save me the stress and hours upon hours of wasted time on the phone dealing with the wrong people. Life is too short! Plus dental help would be nice.

Quote

When and if you are approved for ssdi will you then qualify for Medicaid also making the aso not needed anymore?

Nope. Medicare not Medicaid as my income will be to high to qualify.

Quote

Third question, if the aso has income requirement as miss p mentioned of 300% poverty level, if you qualified for assistance from the aso wouldn't you also qualify for Medicaid since their income requirements are also the same (especially since Obamacare expanded Medicaid?).

I could be wrong here but when I signed up for my ACA plan the Medicaid maximum income was around $21,000 to qualify.

Quote

Couldn't you go online and sign up Medicaid/obamacare and skip the whole aso process? I'm sorry if these are redundant questions. I consider myself pretty educated about HIV and I'm confused by all this so I'm sure there are others who are lost also.

see above.

This is all very confusing to me and maybe someone else here might be able to answer your and my questions better. I hope to find out more when I sign up on the 19th. I do appreciate your questions!!

Miss P. responded while I was typing so I will add this:If I will not be able to access dental services I could cope. It's the other help I need most. I'm sure they would also be able to help out in getting me to understand the ins and outs of Medicare and all that it entails when the time comes. I will need it!

ps- my computer has been giving me grief. I sent it out to get fixed but I am still loosing connection to the internet at the most inopportune times. So if I seem to log out at odd times it's not me. lol.

The best of luck to you Mitch in this stressful situation. Change and uncertainty are always stressful to deal with of course. Just take one issue at a time and I hope everything works out well for you my good man.

Jody

Logged

"Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world". "Try to discover that you are the song that the morning brings."

Back to documentation.In California I had to produce car registration and 3 consecutive months of payslips. I think to prove State of residency.When enrolling at Desert Aids Project in Palm Springs they also wanted proof of dx in Riverside County (the county they operate in).As a reminder, I dumped them and am getting treatment in San Diego.

PS, my prob with ASO was scheduling.My first appointment was made and I expected to see a whole slew of people including ID.Oh nooooooooo.1st. appt to enroll and set another appt 10days later to see case manager who then checked drs schedule to pencil me in 2weeks later to see ID, I assume.I left after pointless 5 min meeting with case manager.

The best advice is what Ms P touched on-let Mitch go into the ASO, and find out what CT's programs offer. Every state is different. And to try to sort it out is confusing. Hell, I did case management for 3 years and I have a difficult time. And things change often. So the best thing Mark is just go in, dump it all out, and let the case manager sort it out. (S)he will be able to assist greatly, if (s)he is worth (her)his weight.

Logged

I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

Mostly filling out a bunch of privacy forms. My case manager (one of only two) was quite nice. I really don't think she deals with many clients like me. She made some comment like "I guess you already know about that" a few times. lol. I told her I've had 31+ years experience.

Anyway, I don't qualify for any of the Ryan White benefits at this point. They look at total income, not adjusted gross income. Oh well, not a surprise.

The good news is she still considers me a client and will help out with insurance/ mail order pharmacy/ and ADAP issues. To me that's a big load off of my shoulders!I'm not sure how capable she will be but I guess I'll find out.

They serve over 21,000 meals a year, provide scattered housing, and loads of other stuff that I applaud them for but happily have no need. What's kind of funny is that there were 2 hiv organizations 20 years ago in New London where I met Kenny. We both were involved in raising money at the time and they have both long ago merged to what it is today and here I am needing there service.

Dental benefits (that I am not qualified to receive) amount to $3000. per year!!

Bottom line, I'm glad I went as I think they seem to be a caring group of people.

I'm glad they're going to help you, M. It sounds like a good organization; I guess you'll find out.

I went to the agency I worked at today to discuss some issues with the addictions guy, and ended up staying there talking to people for two hours lol.

Too bad you don't qualify for the dental services. Does yours and Kenny's income count as one? I guess what I'm asking is, is your name on the pay that comes from your business? I know when I did insurance stuff, I would only count the client's income, and not their partners, spouses, etc. That way they would qualify whereas if I counted the other person's (people's) income they would not. I hope that makes sense.

Logged

I've never killed anyone, but I frequently get satisfaction reading the obituary notices.-Clarence Darrow

I'm glad they're going to help you, M. It sounds like a good organization; I guess you'll find out.

I went to the agency I worked at today to discuss some issues with the addictions guy, and ended up staying there talking to people for two hours lol.

Too bad you don't qualify for the dental services. Does yours and Kenny's income count as one? I guess what I'm asking is, is your name on the pay that comes from your business? I know when I did insurance stuff, I would only count the client's income, and not their partners, spouses, etc. That way they would qualify whereas if I counted the other person's (people's) income they would not. I hope that makes sense.

I would bet everyone misses you at the ASO Betty.

They actually tried to look at it both ways to see if it would work. The limits are around 34k for one and I think around 46k for a two person household. Neither way worked. The business income is my income and Kenny receives an employee paycheck.

When the business is no longer around I will qualify. Nothing really pressing at the moment as far as my teeth are concerned so I'm hoping they will behave themselves in the mean time. lol. I'm just grateful that they are willing to help me out with some of the nonsense that has been stressing me out. I can't imagine that I will ever need most of the other services they provide.